Viola... In English!

Pazzini Likely Out

Late news is that Giampaolo Pazzini has caught the flu bug and will likely miss today's match in Firenze against Torino.

Dainelli Scratched. Experimental back line.

Fiorentina center back Dario Dainelli is a late scratch with a lower back strain.  The defensive unit in the early stages of the game consists of...

Balzaretti---Potenza---Mazuch---Gobbi

Lupatelli will be tested.

Long Gamberini Absence Expected

Long stop for Gamberini.  Will we see Mazuch?

Monday Alessandro Gamberini will undergo a medical procedure to stabilize the muscular injury he suffered Saturday evening in Roma.  The player (and coach Prandelli, as well) is hoping for a better prognosis than the one that came immediately following the Lazio match, but neither has yet lost hope.

The current speculation is that Gamberini will miss 5-6 weeks and that would see him return in the middle of December.  This would see him only play two matches before the winter break so, if it is as serious as believed, his return to competitive matches would probably be postponed until after the break.

So today we will know the verdict for Gamberini, but also for Ujfalusi who seems to be fully recovered from last week's injury.  Now all that must be decided is whether to have Ujfalusi return Thursday against Elfsborg or wait until Sunday's match against Udinese.

The absence of Gamberini, plus the predicted lighter workload for Ujfalusi, could lead to Prandelli activating the young Czech Ondrej Mazuch for the next few matches.  The center back has long been touted by Pantaleo Corvino as the next (after Kuzmanovic) Viola starlet to make his mark with the club.

My take -- A real shame as we have had 4 straight clean sheets in the league and Gamberini is a huge part of that.  Still, though, Dainelli and Kroldrup have been surprisingly good and we could always use a healthy Ujfalusi as a center back as we have plenty of depth at the fullback position with Pasqual, Balzaretti, Potenza, Jorgensen and Vanden Borre.  I hope that Mazuch is in some Italian total immersion course.

Never Say Rest

Mutu: Exhausted but will be at Marassi

When will Prandelli give a breather to Super Mutu?  Rumors suggest that it could come soon but not away to Genoa.  It is more likely that the player will get a little rest home to Napoli and re-take his starter's role against Lazio (November 3rd) and in the UEFA Cup against Elfsborg (November 8). 

My take -- He needs it.  It is hard to imagine us getting much productivity without Santana and Mutu, though.

All But Santana

Fiorentina: Santana the only training absentee

The entire roster was available to Prandelli as the squad worked through its Thursday training session.  The only exception to this is the injured Mario Alberto Santana.  It was an exhausting session for the returning internationals.

Cacia's Status

Cacia:  Recovered.  January he will be Viola.

Daniele Cacia has put his knee injury behind him and has made his season debut in Serie B.  The attacker, who in January will wear the Viola shirt, played in Sunday's 0-1 loss to Bologna.The young attacker came on 30 minutes before the final whistle and played a fine match.  It was an important signal for Prandelli and Fiorentina as the Viola club will have him in co-ownership this January.

Cacia had spent the last few weeks with the Piacenza Primavera side and, over the coming weeks, will be looking to find his form with the senior side.  It is hoped that, sooner than expected, he can again become the highly regarded player that he was before last season's injury.

My take -- What can I say?  I think that he was Italia's most promising target man before the injury.  Better than Pellè, Bianchi or any of the rest.  If Pazzini thought he was already under a lot of pressure...

Here We Go Again...

Fiorentina: Santana out 4 to 5 weeks

Fiorentina announced early Monday afternoon that the medical diagnosis of Mario Alberto Santana has been concluded.  Santana, who was injured near the end of the return leg against Groningen, had complained of a muscular problem.  The diagnosis is that the femoral muscle was (and I am not good with medical stuff so bear with me) overstretched.  Recovery time is estimated at 4 to 5 weeks.

My take -- 5 weeks, huh?  I've heard that before...  Someone jog my memory, please.  I was being optimistic and hoping that Santana was faking the injury to explain his horrendous PK against Groningen.  He is our best pure creator and it will surely be a blow.   Semioli will have to step up and we may see more field time for Vanden Borre.